Walter Davis was one of the greatest basketball players in UNC and NBA history. He was a six-time All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist, and the Suns’ all-time leading scorer. He was known for his smooth and elegant style of play, earning him various nicknames such as Sweet D, The Greyhound, and The Man with the Velvet Touch. In this post, we will explore his life, career, family, net worth, and more.
Walter Davis Biography Profile:
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Walter Davis |
| Nick Name | Sweet D, The Greyhound, The Candyman, The Man with the Velvet Touch |
| Date of Birth | September 9, 1954 |
| Birth Place | Pineville, North Carolina |
| Age (as of 2023) | 69 (deceased) |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Profession | Basketball player |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Home Town/State | Pineville, North Carolina |
| School | South Mecklenburg High School |
| College | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor of Arts in Radio, Television and Motion Pictures |
| Religion | Christian |
| Hobbies | Playing golf, watching movies, listening to music |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Boyfriend/Girlfriend | N/A |
| Net Worth | $2 million (estimated) |
Early Life and Education:
- Walter Davis was born on a farm in Grenada, Mississippi, to Walter Sr. and Nellie Davis.
- He moved to Pineville, North Carolina, with his family when he was six years old.
- He started playing basketball at a young age and became a star player at South Mecklenburg High School, where he led his team to two state championships.
- He received a scholarship to play for the University of North Carolina (UNC) under coach Dean Smith.
- He majored in Radio, Television and Motion Pictures and graduated in 1977.
Family Details:
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Father Name | Walter Davis Sr. |
| Mother Name | Nellie Davis |
| Brother(s) | Eddie Davis (older), Terry Davis (younger) |
| Sister(s) | None |
| Wife/Husband | Angela Davis (ex-wife) |
| Children | Walter Davis III (son), Ashley Davis (daughter), Brooke Davis (daughter) |
Career Highlights:
- Walter Davis was drafted by the Phoenix Suns as the fifth overall pick in the 1977 NBA draft.
- He won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1978 after averaging 24.2 points per game.
- He was a six-time NBA All-Star (1978–1981, 1984, 1987) and an All-NBA Second Team selection in 1979.
- He played for the Suns for 11 seasons and became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 15,666 points.
- He also played for the Denver Nuggets (1988–1991) and the Portland Trail Blazers (1991–1992) before retiring from the NBA.
- He was a member of the US national team that won the gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
- He was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 and had his jersey number 6 retired by the Suns in 1994.
Physical Stats and More:
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Height (Aprox.) | in centimeters- 198 cm |
| Weight (Aprox.) | in Kilograms- 84 kg |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Figure Size | N/A |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Hair Length | Short |
| Shoe Size | N/A |
Favorite Things:
| Favorite Things | Details |
|---|---|
| Favorite Colour | Blue |
| Favorite Actor | Denzel Washington |
| Favorite Actress | Halle Berry |
| Favorite Movies | The Godfather, Rocky, The Shawshank Redemption |
| Favorite Singers | Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson |
| Favorite Food | Fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens |
| Favorite Books | The Bible, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, To Kill a Mockingbird |
| Favorite Wear | Casual clothes, jeans and t-shirts, sneakers |
| Favorite Animal | Dog |
| Favorite Car | Mercedes-Benz |
| Favorite Things to Do | Playing golf, watching movies, listening to music |
| Favorite Sports | Basketball, golf, football |
| Favorite Sports Person | Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady |
| Favorite Destination | Hawaii |
Walter Davis cause of Death:
According to the news reports, Walter Davis died on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the age of 69. The University of North Carolina announced that he passed away from natural causes. He was a former basketball star who played for the UNC Tar Heels, the Phoenix Suns, the Denver Nuggets, and the Portland Trail Blazers. He was also an Olympic gold medalist and a six-time NBA All-Star. He was known for his smooth and elegant style of play and his excellent jump shot. He was admired by many fans and players, including Michael Jordan, who considered him as his idol. He is survived by his three children and his ex-wife. He will be remembered as one of the greatest players in UNC and NBA history.
Some FAQs about Walter Davis:
Who was Walter Davis?
Walter Davis was a former basketball player who played for the University of North Carolina, the Phoenix Suns, the Denver Nuggets, and the Portland Trail Blazers. He was a six-time NBA All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist, and the Suns’ all-time leading scorer.
How did Walter Davis die?
Walter Davis died on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the age of 69. The University of North Carolina announced that he passed away from natural causes while visiting family in Charlotte, North Carolina.
What was Walter Davis’ nickname?
Walter Davis had several nicknames, such as Sweet D, The Greyhound, The Candyman, and The Man with the Velvet Touch. These nicknames reflected his smooth and elegant style of play and his excellent jump shot.
What was Walter Davis’ net worth?
Walter Davis’ net worth is estimated to be around $2 million. He earned most of his income from his basketball career, where he played for 16 seasons in the NBA.
What was Walter Davis’ relationship with Michael Jordan?
Walter Davis and Michael Jordan were both UNC alumni and NBA stars. Jordan considered Davis as his idol and mentor, and often sought his advice and guidance. Davis also helped Jordan during his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls.